Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS and Nutrition

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1. Where can I find information on nutrition and HIV/AIDS?

The CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse (CDC NAC) has a Standard Search on HIV/AIDS and Nutrition which lists educational materials, sources, and availability information. CDC NAC also offers Eating Defensively: Food Safety and Advice for Persons with HIV/AIDS, in both videorecording and brochure formats. The Clearinghouse's Educational Materials Database also has materials targeting different audiences, such as persons with HIV/AIDS, nutritionists, caregivers, and health professionals.

2. Is there any information about effects of vitamins on the immune system?

The Educational Materials Database contains a collection of materials on the subject. A good example is the article "Micronutrients: Implications in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease," published in Topics in Clinical Nutrition, available from Aspen Publishers. Another example is the fact sheet, Vitamins and Minerals in HIV Infection, by the Seattle Treatment Education Project. It states that vitamins and minerals play an essential role in maintaining proper functioning of the immune system. Also, the book Nutrition for the AIDS Carrier, from R & E Publishers, discusses the impact of various nutrients and vitamins on the immune system.

3. Where can I find recipes and menus specially designed for persons with HIV/AIDS?

The Educational Materials Database lists information about recipes and menus for persons with HIV/AIDS. A good example is the publication, Nutrition and HIV: Your Choices Make a Difference, by the Tennessee Department of Health. It explains basic nutrition as well as nutrition-related complications found in HIV infection, and provides meal planning guidance with sample menus and recipes. The manual, Good Nutrition Makes a Difference, by the Children's Medical Center of Dallas, emphasizes special diets for situations such as nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, and times when it hurts to eat or food tastes odd. It provides a section on delicious high-calorie recipes and a basic food groups coloring book.

4.Are there organizations that provide assistance for PWAs and health professionals about nutrition and HIV/AIDS?

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CDC NAC's Resources and Services Database lists organizations throughout the country that provide nutritional and dietetic assistance for health professionals and people with HIV/AIDS. For example, The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has a consumer nutrition hotline where callers can speak to a registered dietitian.

This fact sheet is part of the CDC NAC "Frequently Asked Questions" series. The fact sheets in the series serve as brief introductions to a variety of HIV/AIDS-related topics. Clearinghouse staff can assist you with finding more detailed information on this, or other subjects related to HIV/AIDS.

To obtain more information, or to order CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse materials listed above, phone (800) 458-5231.

February, 1995
Inventory No. B361

A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!

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